back-to-back ticketing
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Platinum; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,119
back-to-back ticketing
Has anyone had any hassle from NW lately using back-to-back tickets? The flights I need for a meeting are over $400 and I need to be back on Saturday, but if I do TWO tickets staying over a Saturday it's less than $400. I plan on flying all of the segments of both tickets as I need the miles. I know I can always use two different carriers and accomplish the same thing -- but I'd rather have the NW miles.
[This message has been edited by trd (edited 12-15-2001).]
[This message has been edited by trd (edited 12-16-2001).]
[This message has been edited by trd (edited 12-15-2001).]
[This message has been edited by trd (edited 12-16-2001).]
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: FLL
Posts: 1,679
Once and they will probably let you go. Overdo it and prepare to be taken to the Gulag, especially on Delta.
You may try not giving your FF number for one ticket until after travel.
I may be meek, but I try to avoid the wrath of a major carrier.
You may try not giving your FF number for one ticket until after travel.
I may be meek, but I try to avoid the wrath of a major carrier.
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
Since you're using all of the ticket stubs, I think that's technically nesting.
e.g.
SYR-DTW Day 1
DTW-SYR Day 2
SYR-DTW Day 8
DTW-SYR Day 9
Book two RTs:
SYR-DTW-SYR depart day 1, return day 9
DTW-SYR-DTW depart day 2, return day 8
Don't quote me on this.
- Pat
e.g.
SYR-DTW Day 1
DTW-SYR Day 2
SYR-DTW Day 8
DTW-SYR Day 9
Book two RTs:
SYR-DTW-SYR depart day 1, return day 9
DTW-SYR-DTW depart day 2, return day 8
Don't quote me on this.
- Pat
#4
Join Date: Mar 2000
Programs: UA 1PMM,AAG; usedtobeelite
Posts: 2,499
I thought back to back ticketing (not nesting end to end ticketing) to avoid minimum stay requirements was against their contract (not a "hassle") and thereby subject to correction if they catch it. Putting the miles in one FF account allows a human to see the routing if a question arises later. That said, I gather the odds of being caught are relatively low on all carriers.
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
What about using NW on one ticket, and a partner such as CO on the other? will that reduce the chances of being caught?
If so, you will get miles and base miles as well from both carriers
If so, you will get miles and base miles as well from both carriers
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Platinum; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,119
to TrojanHorse: I looked into that but Cont. does not have a code share to city I need to go. Thanks
#7
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Grand Rapids, MI NW Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Starwood Plat
Posts: 48
I back to back all of the time. I would like to know what the problem is as I fly all of the segments. Am I breaking a law - I do not know of a legal law that I am breaking. I would like a major carrier to question this as I would challenge them big time.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Now I'm not a lawyer or even close to one, however isn't the back to back a violation of the contract of carriage? If it is, wouldn't that be a binding agreement for the pax and the airline? Wouldn't that be subject to a civil suit? Like Fairway911 states, I don't think any criminal penalties would be handed out as no federal, state or local laws are being broken.. that I know of..
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Fairway911 GRR:
I back to back all of the time. I would like to know what the problem is as I fly all of the segments. Am I breaking a law - I do not know of a legal law that I am breaking. I would like a major carrier to question this as I would challenge them big time.</font>
I back to back all of the time. I would like to know what the problem is as I fly all of the segments. Am I breaking a law - I do not know of a legal law that I am breaking. I would like a major carrier to question this as I would challenge them big time.</font>
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: St. Paul mn
Posts: 104
Here's a link to NW policy on back to back ticketing.
http://www.nwa.com/plan/comm10.html
http://www.nwa.com/plan/comm10.html
#10
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Arlington VA
Programs: ex-platinum/gold for many years on most all US carriers until 911 when I started avoiding flying.
Posts: 189
I would love to see federal legislation passed that prevents all carriers operating in the US from writing conditions in the contract that are specifically and only intended to keep consumers from benefiting from fare structures such as nesting and back to back ticketing. This would force the carriers to price their transportation for services rendered instead of using consumers schedules as leverage for gaining revenue. I've never understood why airlines feel it is "ethical" to construct fares around length of stay and Saturday night stays and then generate contractual language to force this type of fare structuring. I, personally, would welcome legislation to make it illegal for an airline to have civil recourse if they want to challenge a passenger that does back to back ticketing....regardless of what onerous language they want to put in the fine print of the contract. Write your congressional representatives!
#11
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass®, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
We gotta keep these ticket restrictions to preserve the "Robin Hood" like fare structure where the airlines soak those who have the money to pay for it.
If we didn't have this system all the major airlines would go belly-up and we'd all have to fly Southwest.
If we didn't have this system all the major airlines would go belly-up and we'd all have to fly Southwest.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: GSP (Greenville, SC)
Programs: DL Gold Medallion; UA Premier Executive; WN sub-CP; AA sub-Gold
Posts: 13,393
Back-to-back is still back-to-back regardless of whether you fly all segments.
If you want to keep your NW miles (and money in a worst case scenario), I would suggest using two carriers.
If you want to keep your NW miles (and money in a worst case scenario), I would suggest using two carriers.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Capistrano Beach ,California , U.S.A.
Posts: 23
Could someone please help my lame brain understand what back to back and nesting means. I still don't understand even after Pat's example. Thanks Craig
#14
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: St. Paul mn
Posts: 104
Back to back would be if you had to meetings coming up in chicago one on Jan 9 and then another on the next week on the 16th, and if you lived in say LA, to buy two tickets going the 9th-10th and then another one the 16th-17th would be vary expensive. Though if you bought a LAX-ORD ticket for the 9th-17th and then another one ORD-LAX 10th-16th, it would be a lot less because you would have a Sat. night stay for both tickets.